The LuLac Edition #5, 115, May 23rd , 2024

 

WHAT TRUMP WILL DO IN A SECOND TERM PART 3

HE WILL PARDON EVERYONE CHARGED AND CONVICTED IN  JANUARY 6^th STORMING OF THE CAPITOL

Donald Trump has said that if elected, he will pardon ever single person who had anything to do with the storming of the Capitol on January 6^th, 2021. Everyone.

Right now, these bad actors are acting with impunity because they are relying on him to do this.

If he does this, here’s what the numbers look like:

As of January 2024, 1,186 people have been charged in association with the January 6th riot at the U.S. Capitol. These charges include actions occurring on that day or having a connection to those who participated. Among those charged, 718 have pleaded guilty, and 749 have been adjudicated and sentenced.

1. The Department of Justice (DOJ) reported that 597 people have received sentences for their activities on January 6th, and 366 of them were sentenced to incarceration

2. The individuals involved faced various charges related to their presence at the Capitol during the attempted overthrow of the 2020 election certification. The investigation remains one of the largest in U.S. history, with more than 960 people accused of criminal offenses.

If these people are freed, Trump will have at his disposal a goon squad that will rival The Gestapo in Germany.

Remember, Germany, once a Republic like America elected a leader who gave cart blanche to a private police force that operated with no guidelines.

 

AND ON ANOTHER NOTE:

CNN reports that President Donald Trump on Monday posted a video showing images of a fake newspaper article that references a “unified Reich” if he’s reelected in 2024.

The video details “what happens after Donald Trump wins” with a narrator reading hypothetical headlines such as “Economy Booms!” and “Border is closed,” styled as World War I-era newspaper clippings. Under one headline that reads “What’s next for America?” is a reference to the “creation of a unified Reich.”

The term “reich” is often associated Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, who designated Germany a “Third Reich” from 1933 to 1945.

The video was removed from Trump’s Truth Social account Tuesday morning.

Karoline Leavitt, a Trump campaign spokesperson, said in a statement that the video was not created by the campaign and was “reposted by a staffer who clearly did not see the word, while the President was in court.”

President Joe Biden and his allies, meanwhile, swiftly and emphatically condemned Trump over the video, with both Biden’s campaign and the White House denouncing what it said was flagrant antisemitism.

“This is the same guy that uses Hitler’s language, not America’s,” Biden told donors in Boston on Tuesday, according to reporters traveling with the president.

The Trump effort is telling us what he will do.  If we disregard it, we will cease to be the United States of America but a mere fiefdom in the hands of a psychotic crooked thug. (CNN, LuLac) 

 

MEUSER COMES OUT OF HIDING AND BOY IS HE PISSED!!!!!

9^th Congressional District’s Dan Meuser came out of hiding the other day to express his outrage (from what I’ve heard) usually reserved for people he hired on the Trump trial in Manhattan. Meuser joined the usual suspects who turned full toady on supporting the sleeping beauty senior citizen who has been holed up in a courtroom for the last couple of weeks.

Not an original thinker he, Meuser served up the usual batch of GOP lies to make his Lord and Savior Donald Trump look like the incarnation of what most right wing Christians believe is the little brother of J.C. himself.

“What I saw was a blatant attempt to undermine democracy,” Meuser said in a post on X.

And Dan, the following video, inspired by your boy, WASN’T?

“The prosecution’s ‘star’ witness is a convicted felon, liar, and self-admitted thief.

Hey Dan, that’s on Trump. Remember he said “I only hire the best people!”

The Judge donated to Biden,

$35.00 clams Danny, that’s tip money (well maybe not) for you.

his daughter is a prolific fundraiser for Democrats,

NO DAN, NO!!!!! The company she works for did that. Judge Juan Merchan's daughter, Loren Merchan, was the director of digital persuasion for Kamala Harris' 2020 presidential campaign. His daughter has also worked, indirectly, for the Biden-Harris 2020 campaign through a communications firm that provides services for progressive campaigns.  You think this stats nerd working for a campaign for WAGES they paid her is going to sway a Judge? Jesus Dan.

and the DA is bought and paid for by George Soros.

Here’s what REALLY HAPPENED. George Soros did not directly fund Alvin Bragg’s campaign for Manhattan District Attorney, but he did contribute indirectly. Here’s what happened:

George Soros donated to a political action committee (PAC) called Color of Change, which supports criminal justice reform. The PAC pledged $1 million to organize voter turnout and campaign outreach programs for Bragg’s campaign12.

Color of Change PAC endorsed Alvin Bragg and provided financial support through their political action committee. This support included funding for mailers, canvassing, and phone-banking on Bragg’s behalf.

Former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton criticized the $1 million donation that Soros made to the Color of Change PAC, which supported Bragg. Bratton pointed out that many district attorneys across the country are funded by George Soros, and this trend has been associated with rises in violent crime.

But violent crime is down in New York city so if Danny thinks this money has anything to do with an increase in crime….he’s wrong.

In summary, while George Soros did not directly donate to Bragg’s campaign, his contribution indirectly supported Bragg’s candidacy through the Color of Change PAC12.

Soros’ money was a drop in the bucket. It is nothing compared to the special interest money that has poured into the Trump campaigns. It’s the same old talking points with Meuser and his crew.

Meuser is outraged as what he deems as an affront to democracy. But he voted to NOT certify the Presidential election BUT VOTING FOR HIS OWN.

He voted against the infrastructure bill that included money for rural internet.

Meuser voted AGAINST the CHIP act which provided 54 billion for chips and public wireless supply chain innovation, including $39 billion to build, expand and modernize domestic semiconductor facilities. Additionally, the measure allocates $11 billion for research and development headed by the Department of Commerce. 

 

Meuser before he got Trumpified. (LuLac archives)

Dan was the Revenue  Secretary for Pennsylvania and said NO to this?

He also voted no for a bill last December that extended running the government.

All of the aforementioned information on his votes didn’t excite him but protecting a lying thug like Trump did?

Wow, when this stunt came out on the radio yesterday., one of the talk show hosts was right about Meuser and his red tie brigade: ACCUSATION IS CONFESSION.

 

MESSAGE TO ALL REPUBLICAN VOTERS WHO CAST A 

 BALLOT FOR NIKKI HALEY  

 

In the primary Republican voters  who were  GOP voters wanted to send a message that they were enchanted with Trump . They had the hope that Haley would be around to resurrect the party of law and order.

Well Haley SCREWED  you guys.  She kissed the ring and more than that of this pig former President.

If you think there is no choice…as members of the GOP, you have one. Hold your nose, close your eyes and vote for Biden.  Don’t vote for a third party either because you’ll get Trump.

And for all those guys with their red ties, watch Trump pick Haley. Haley showed us who she was. I’m reminded of the old quote: “We’ve already established what you are. Now we’re just haggling over the price.”.

Stormy Daniels……now Stormy Haley? 

 

WHAT ‘YA BEEN UP TO BARACK?

ARE YOU REALLY RUNNING UNCLE JOE’S WHITE HOUSE?

 

When people call into question Joe Biden’s mental acuity and tell me he is senile and lost it, I always ask who the heck is running the White House if not Biden. The answer I usually get is Obama is really in charge because he stayed in Washington. There have only been two Presidents who have done that and Obama is one of them. So as a public service we have researched what the former 44^th President of the United States has been up to.

Having chosen to become the first president since Woodrow Wilson to remain in the capital after the end of his term, Obama purchased a nine-bedroom home in the Kalorama neighborhood with the intention of staying for two years so that his younger daughter, Sasha, could complete high school in Washington. Although he indicated at his final press conference that he did not intend to be actively involved in politics, he outlined several developments that could reverse that decision, including “systematic discrimination being ratified in some fashion,” the creation of obstacles to voting, and efforts to silence the press or dissent.

The former president and former first lady received a joint $65 million advance from Penguin Random House’s Crown Publishing Group for their respective memoirs. Obama also began undertaking high-paid speaking engagements, including addresses to Wall Street financial firms, which earned him as much as $400,000 an outing as well criticism from some corners for his acceptance of extravagant fees. Supporters countered that those high fees contributed to making it possible for Obama to donate some $2 million to job-training programs for low-income residents in the Chicago area.

ackson Park, on Chicago’s South Side, was chosen by the Obama Foundation (founded in January 2014) as the location for the Obama Presidential Center. Intended as an economic engine for the South Side, nestled in parkland, and dedicated to informing and inspiring future leaders, the center was designed to include a library, museum, athletic facility, and forum for public meetings. It also was planned to serve as the headquarters for the Obama Foundation and the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, the organization Obama founded in 2014 to provide opportunities for boys and young men of color. The former president also indicated his support for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, an organization led by former attorney general Eric Holder that was focused on executing a comprehensive redistricting strategy to counter what it saw as the abuses of Republican gerrymandering.

Even as the Trump administration rolled out a succession of policy initiatives seemingly aimed at eradicating Obama’s achievements in the realms of health care, climate change, immigration, and financial regulation, Obama for the most part honored the unwritten tradition of former presidents’ refraining from criticism of their successor’s actions. On occasion, though, Obama did take issue with some of Trump’s policies and the direction in which Trump was taking the country. Notably, Obama was critical of Trump’s decisions to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change and from the 2015 agreement with Iran on nuclear development, as well as Trump’s order to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

In 2020 Obama began to take a noticeably more active role in American political life. In particular he was critical of Trump’s handling of two crises that had shaken the country: the coronavirus pandemic that had taken more than 160,000 lives in the United States by August and put the economy in a tailspin, along with the killing of George Floyd, an African American, by a Minneapolis policeman that sparked prolonged nationwide protests reflecting the festering indignation at the continuing epidemic of police brutality toward African Americans and systemic racism. In early June Obama participated in an online town hall on police violence. In his speech he emphasized both the important role played by protestors and the necessity of voting.

In July Obama appeared in a video with Biden, the Democratic Party’s presumptive 2020 presidential nominee. Practicing “social distancing” emblematic of the effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the two men discussed a range of issues, including the steps required to tame the pandemic and resuscitate the economy, and Obama expressed confidence in the character and leadership ability of Biden, who had tied his candidacy to his role in the Obama administration and his friendship with the popular former president. At the end of the month, Obama delivered a moving eulogy at the funeral of one of his heroes, congressman and civil rights leader John Lewis. In August 2020 Biden became the Democrats’ official nominee, and Obama made numerous campaign appearances on his behalf. Biden ultimately was declared the winner of the November election. Shortly thereafter Obama released the memoir A Promised Land (2020). The first of two proposed volumes, it centers on his early life through the events of May 2011. The documentary TV series Obama: In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union was released in 2021.

Obama has visited the White House twice. In 2022 when his official portrait was hung and late last year when he made the case that the president may be best positioned to win re-election in a rematch against Trump, compared with other potential GOP opponents.

 

As NBC News reported on the day of Obama’s White House visit in June, officials in both camps were careful to characterize it as just “another check-in conversation,” a clear effort to convey that such interactions were hardly uncommon. Biden and Obama had spoken by phone just a few weeks earlier, after the successful resolution of the debt ceiling debate.

Politics was clearly on the agenda during the June lunch. While at the White House, Obama and Biden recorded several videos that were used to raise money for Biden’s re-election campaign ahead of the quarterly filing deadline. And in a fundraising email in Obama’s name, the former president said: “Our democracy is at stake right now. … We’re seeing a dangerous strand of anti-democratic sentiment. We’ve got to fight back against it.”

Obama later hosted a fund raiser with former President Clinton in March. Obama travels extensively, commands up to $400,000 for a speech, oversees construction of his library and closely follows the progress of his daughter’s lives and career. (Britannica, NBC News, NPW, LuLac)

   

MIKE JOHNSON LATEST HOUSE LEADER STOPS IN LULAC LAND AND SAYS NOTHING

In keeping with Republican tradition,  Speaker Mike Johnson came to town and held a big shot fundraiser for the latest GOP candidate running against Matt Cartwright. As you recall last year they brought in Kevin McCarthy, and earlier Steve Scalise made the scene to plead the new entrant’s case. Johnson met at a private home and didn’t meet the local press. The location was kept secret and we were told phone calls were made on late Saturday night to get people to the event.

The reason why Johnson didn’t talk to the press just like Dan Meuser doesn’t is because they can’t defend their leadership since wining the majority in 2022. They had the same 5 vote majority Nancy Pelosi had but couldn’t even keep a speaker. The only way anything got through this GOP Congress was with the help of the Democratic minority.

This  Republican led Congress needed to be kicking and screaming to pass aid to Ukraine and they are against anything to do with border security. Plus, Johnson has to be careful what he says about his crazy crew of Marjorie Taylor Spleen and Matt “Gimme some of dhat under age love” Gatz for fear they’ll railroad him. Johnson of course will show up in a red MAGA tie and defend his Lord and Savior Donald Trump but not tell the local press why the latest GOP candidate should be considered a replacement for Matt Cartwright.

Voters need to remember this: Matt Cartwright, through Republican and Democratic administrations has brought in nearly 2 billion dollars in federal money to all of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

His opponent this fall will not be able to do that because of a dysfunctional House led by a crazed Republican party.

Do you really want to trade a Cadillac (Cartwright) in for a tricycle?

 

U.S. REP. MATT CARTWRIGHT CALLS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENTS DURING SPECIAL HOUSE HOUR

“SOCIAL SECURITY IS THE BEDROCK PROGRAM FOR SENIORS, SURVIVORS AND THE DISABLED. FOR DECADES IT HAS REMAINED STRONG AND PROVIDED A VITAL SOURCE OF INCOME FOR MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS. WITH THE STEPS LAID OUT IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY 2100 ACT, WE CAN BOTH IMPROVE BENEFITS WHILE PROVIDING A TAX BREAK FOR SENIORS NOW AND ENSURE SOCIAL SECURITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.”

Congressman Matt Cartwright (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) joined House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) and Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02) on the House floor this week to protest cuts to Social Security proposed by House Republicans.

“I’m here to speak on behalf of the 191,000 people from Northeast Pennsylvania who depend on monthly Social Security checks,” Cartwright said. “Rather than cutting benefits, Democrats have a plan to protect and enhance Social Security. It’s a plan to put people over politics and to make good on our promise to put American seniors first.”

Representatives Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) and Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) also slammed the Republican budget plan and called for action to enhance Social Security.

The Members’ remarks can be viewed here.

“It has been more than 50 years since Congress has enhanced Social Security. Seventy million Americans rely on Social Security. Ten thousand baby boomers a day become eligible for Social Security. Forty percent of Americans rely on Social Security in and of itself as their primary tenet for retirement,” Larson said. “It is the nation's number one anti-poverty program for the elderly and for children. Our colleagues have taken to the Floor today so that the American people understand that what's between them and enhancement to this program is a vote, a vote for Social Security 2100. What could be a better bipartisan plan than helping out every single individual in everyone's district.”

“Democrats are protecting critical programs like Social Security and Medicare and the myriad ways in which, unfortunately our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are doing the exact opposite,” Neguse said. “[The Republican Study Committees plan] upends critical programs that American families depend on, makes draconian cuts to Medicare and Social Security. It’s a plan that increases the retirement age to 69, forcing Americans to work longer for less, a plan that cuts disability benefits, erodes care for children, making it more expensive to care for our families. Their plan raises Medicare costs for seniors, takes away the programs' ability to negotiate prescription drug costs, repeals the $35 insulin and $2,000 out-of-pocket caps that House Democrats, the members gathered here on the Floor this evening, fought so vigorously to enact in the 117th Congress.”

The largest caucus of House Republicans released a budget plan to make $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security benefits and $1.2 trillion in cuts to Medicare while promising another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations.

Last year, Cartwright co-sponsored Larson’s Social Security 2100 Act  to extend the program’s solvency and increase benefits across-the-board by scrapping the cap on income above $400,000 a year, so the wealthiest Americans pay in to Social Security with each and every paycheck.

“Social Security is the bedrock program for seniors, survivors and the disabled. For decades it has remained strong and provided a vital source of income for middle class Americans. With the steps laid out in the Social Security 2100 Act, we can both improve benefits while providing a tax break for seniors now and ensure Social Security for future generations,” Cartwright said.

 

 

CASEY UNVEILS ACTIONS TO PREVENT AND TREAT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AMONG OLDER ADULTS

NEW CASEY BILL WILL HELP IMPROVE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR THE GROWING NUMBER OF OLDER ADULTS SUFFERING FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS

CASEY ALSO SENT LETTER TO FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION ON OLDER ADULTS

ACTIONS FOLLOW DECEMBER AGING COMMITTEE HEARING EXPOSING THE GROWING CRISIS OF SENIORS FACING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER ISSUES

Senator Bob Casey (Photo: LuLac archives)

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, unveiled a series of actions to prevent and treat substance use disorders (SUDs) among older adults. As part of the package, Casey introduced the Preventing and Treating Substance Use Disorders Among Older Adults Act, a bill that will help provide the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with the resources it needs to improve treatment and prevention services for older adults with SUDs. Casey also sent a letter to SAMHSA urging the agency to improve its collection of data about the prevalence of older adults with substance use disorders to facilitate better treatment and prevention.

“Despite being more susceptible to developing substance use disorders, older Americans are often overlooked for typical screenings and prevention efforts,” said Chairman Casey (D-PA). “Today, I’m taking action to ensure that the rise in substance use disorders among older adults is a subject of national attention, and to improve the availability and accessibility of potentially life-saving treatment options.”

The rates of substance use disorders among older adults over the age of 65 have increased in recent years, with nearly four million older adults reporting an SUD in 2022. The number of older adults needing SUD treatment has tripled from 1.7 million in 2000 to 5.7 million in 2020. Unfortunately, older adults are often overlooked when developing screening, prevention, and treatment strategies. These challenges are compounded by a lack of data available to promote understanding of how to best care for older adults with SUDs.

Senator Casey’s new bill, the Preventing and Treating Substance Use Disorders Among Older Adults Act, will establish a grant program at SAMHSA to improve understanding as well as treatment and prevention services for older adults with SUDs. The program will award grants to eligible entities, particularly those located in areas of high need, to improve SUD treatment and prevention services for older adults, including those that seek to improve comprehensive care coordination and integrated care, data collection, and collaboration with older adults and their loved ones.

Casey also sent a letter to SAMHSA urging the agency to improve data collection in three areas: (1) the scope of substance use disorders among older adults, (2) the extent to which older adults are able to access integrated physical and mental health care, and (3) the extent to which older adults are able to access wraparound and other social supports to meet their unique needs. This data would facilitate improved treatment and prevention of SUDs among older adults.

Chairman Casey’s actions follow an Aging Committee hearing held last December entitled, “Understanding a Growing Crisis: Substance Use Trends Among Older Adults.” At the hearing, Casey heard from a number of subject matter experts and older adults about the growing crisis, including the scope of the challenge, gaps in coverage and access to treatment and recovery, and limits in research that might be obscuring the problem. Today’s bill and letter address the concerns raised at the December hearing.

 

GOVERNOR SHAPIRO SIGNS BILL INTO LAW PERMANENTLY CLASSIFYING XYLAZINE AS SCHEDULE III DRUG, TAKING FURTHER ACTION AGAINST THE DANGEROUS DRUG WHILE MAINTAINING LEGAL ACCESS FOR VETERINARY USE

ACT 17 OF 2024 FOLLOWS GOVERNOR SHAPIRO’S MOVE TO TEMPORARILY SCHEDULE XYLAZINE LAST YEAR, ADDING AN ADDITIONAL TOOL TO THE SHAPIRO ADMINISTRATION’S MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO COMBATTING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

SINCE 2018, PENNSYLVANIA HAS SEEN A 22-FOLD INCREASE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS WHERE XYLAZINE WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

Governor Josh Shapiro (LuLac archives)

, Governor Josh Shapiro took further action to limit access to illicit xylazine, the powerful animal tranquilizer commonly known as “tranq,” by signing House Bill 1661 into law. The legislation officially classifies the sedative – which is not approved for use in humans but is increasingly found in Pennsylvania’s street drug supply – as a Schedule III Drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania House and Senate overwhelmingly approved HB1661 with bipartisan majorities, which criminalizes illicit possession of the drug but still maintains licit access for veterinarians for use on large animals.

“By signing this bill into law today, we are sending a powerful message to drug dealers that we will not let you continue to peddle this poison in our communities,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “This bill helps to ensure xylazine isn’t diverted from legitimate sources to drug dealers, and still allows for important veterinary use on animals. While we hold drug dealers accountable, my Administration will continue to pursue a multidisciplinary approach to the opioid epidemic – investing in law enforcement, treatment, and prevention. We will continue to work with harm reduction professionals to expand access to treatment and recovery services across the Commonwealth.”

The action marks the latest effort by the Shapiro Administration to protect Pennsylvanians from the deadly impacts of xylazine. This comes after the Governor directed Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen to temporarily add xylazine to the list of schedule III drugs under Pennsylvania’s Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act in April 2023; legislation like HB 1661 was needed to permanently classify xylazine as a Schedule III Drug.

“This is an important step to help protect people from illicit xylazine use while allowing veterinarians to use it when needed for large animals,” said Acting Secretary of Health Dr. Debra Bogen. “Our focus remains on harm reduction strategies, reducing stigma associated with substance use and addiction, providing education and training to reduce overdose, and helping people get connected to treatment and other services.”

The bill passed both the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, led by prime sponsor Representative Carl Walker Metzgar (R-69) with an amendment from Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47).

“The driver behind this legislation stemmed from Somerset County being the location for one of the first cases involving recreational xylazine usage,” said Representative Carl Metzgar. “The person used it on a baby changing station at a convenience store. Illicit xylazine usage is a serious public health concern, not only to the user but also innocent bystanders. I am grateful to see widespread bipartisan support from my colleagues in the General Assembly and support from Governor Shapiro from the very beginning.”

 “I appreciate the bipartisan efforts in both chambers that went into getting House Bill 1661 to the Governor’s desk,” said Senator Elder Vogel. “For years, xylazine has plagued Pennsylvania’s illicit drug supply and it was time for us to take action to curb this disturbing trend while keeping veterinary access at the forefront of discussions. This legislation is a great step toward continuing to protect Pennsylvania families and ensuring optimal veterinary care.”

Scheduling a drug requires manufacturers and distributors to not only verify that a practitioner, like a veterinarian, is licensed but that they are also authorized to receive a controlled substance. Additionally, this action allows for more checks in an ordering system, to ensure the proper address for delivery and receipt of a controlled substance, often requiring the practitioner themselves to sign for the product. Scheduling further requires practitioners to take steps to minimize theft and diversion, including accurate recordkeeping, limiting staff access to the product, and ensuring it’s stored in a secure location.

The Shapiro Administration is taking a multi-pronged approach in battling the illicit possession of xylazine to both help Pennsylvanians get the treatment they need while also working with law enforcement to hold drug dealers accountable.

 “Governor Shapiro is placing a continued urgency on addressing the opioid epidemic and today is an example of the multidisciplinary approach our administration is taking to this crisis,” said Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones. “Addressing xylazine, fentanyl and any other emerging drug trends will require all hands-on-deck – public officials, law enforcement, those in the fields of prevention, treatment and recovery, and many others. By working in tandem, we can ensure that more individuals are able to live a life free from the illness of addiction.”

“Xylazine is a dangerous sedative that often contributes to overdose deaths,” said Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “Making unlicensed possession of this drug illegal and allowing law enforcement to get it off our streets will make our communities safer for everyone.”

People exposed to xylazine often knowingly or unknowingly use it in combination with other drugs, particularly illicit fentanyl; the medication is used to lengthen the opioid’s euphoric effects.

 Xylazine is a growing threat to communities across the Commonwealth. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, in 2022, xylazine contributed to 760 overdose deaths, a 31.9% increase from 2021 at 575 fatal overdoses. In 2023, preliminary numbers show xylazine contributed to 1,135 overdose deaths across 51 counties – a 22-fold increase in just five years from 2018 at 51 overdose deaths.

In 2022, the FDA warned that xylazine is not safe for use in humans. Xylazine use may also result in skin ulcers with wounds that excrete puss, have decaying tissue and bacterial infections, which can lead to amputation.

While opioid-reversing medications such as naloxone will not reverse the effects of xylazine itself, it can still be effective in reversing the effects of the particular opioid involved and should still be administered if symptoms consistent with possible opioid overdose are present. If xylazine was involved, the person may still appear sedated after their breathing has returned.

Anyone seeking substance use treatment or recovery resources for themselves or a loved one can call the toll-free PA Get Help Now helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357), or go online to the Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform (ATLAS) at treatmentatlas.org.

ATLAS can help Pennsylvanians find and compare addiction treatment services and facilities to find the one that will work best for their family.

 

 

 MEDIA MATTERS

ROCK 107 GOES ALL NIGHT

Rock 107 is filling in the midnight time slot with a veteran broadcaster who used to work for them. Now if you listen to radio after midnight and want music, you get it but without snappy chatter or information. Music stations after 7pm for the most part are one big juke boxes. But 107 has Ed Hamilton on from midnight to 5:30am and it has been delightful.

 

THE ED HAMILTON STORY

I grew up in Scranton and was a sophomore in high school when FM 107 played 'Spirit of the Radio' by Rush in February of 1980, and my head exploded. Suddenly, the kids I grew up with had a station that played the music we were listening to. I knew what I wanted to do for a living - work at Rock 107.

I used my years in college radio to learn how to be a wise guy and make prank calls, but by 1985, I was ready to join the team at Rock 107.

 For the next ten years, I hosted the 7 p.m. to Midnight show and introduced the 'Hour of Power' and 'Get the Led Out' to NEPA. In 1994, I moved to afternoon drive for a year before chasing another dream I always had—journalism.

 For the next 29 years, I worked in NEPA newsrooms, helped grow a media company, and embraced the Internet as a new place to make a name for myself. Along the way, I married a great gal, raised some amazing kids, had a few grandkids, and kept informing and entertaining the great residents of NEPA.

 As things settled down, the folks at Rock 107 asked me to come back and do some shows. Initially, I was hesitant, but I figured I could have some fun and tell a few stories.

 When I'm not growing old while the world listens, I'm a sports, politics, history, and science junkie. And when I'm not listening to classic rock, it's old-school punk rock, Wes Anderson, and Coen Brothers films for me. My favorite live musicians of all time were Tom Petty and The Ramones.

 NEPA has me as long as they want me. Thanks for listening!

 

AND FOR JOHN WEBSTER THE WRY IRONIC HUMOR STILL GOES ON

John Webster, in retirement for at least 5 years still has the humor down pat on his Facebook page. The other day he put up this image of Mickey Mantle on a baseball card from his youth. The tag line was, “If we only knew what these cards would be worth”. The ’65

 

WALN TV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

You'll hear the program Sunday at 6 on 94.3 The Talker; 6:30 on 1400 am The Mothership and 7:30 am on 105 The River.

 

BOBBY V’S DOO WOP SUNDAY NIGHT SOCK HOP

 

 

STEVE CORBETT’S SCRANTON CITY NEWS

Here's the link: News – The Outlaw Steve Corbett (theoutlawcorbett.com)

 

BEATLE EDD’S FAB FOUR HOUR

Tune in every week to the Home of Rock and Roll for a jam packed, unpredictable hour starting at 9am Sundays. Host Edd Raineri gives you facts and great music from the immortal Fab Four on ROCK 107.

 

1984 

 Our 1984 logo "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom", 2nd in the film series, directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Harrison Ford, and produced by George Lucas' Lucosfilms premieres……..Crime epic film "Once Upon a Time in America" directed by Sergio Leone starring Robert De Niro and James Woods premieres at Cannes…… Revival of musical "The Wiz" opens at Lunt-Fontanne Theater, NYC; runs for 13 performances…. Red Sox trade pitcher Dennis Eckersley to Cubs for Bill Buckner. Buckner will become infamous as a Red Sox first baseman in two years time when an error committed by him fuels the Mets World Championship…President Ronald Reagan rules out US military intervention in Iran-Iraq war….. Indianapolis 500: 1979 champion Rick Mears wins second Indy 500 two laps ahead of the field after contenders Tom Sneva and Mario Andretti drop out in second half of the race……Manuela Maleeva of Bulgaria wins 3 singles tennis matches in one day; Italian Open 1984, beats Virginie Ruzici, Carling Basset and Chris Evert in the final 6-3 6-3; only 7th player to beat Evert on clay…… George Soros founds the Soros Foundation Budapest to help countries free themselves from communism….Boston Red Sox retires #9 (Ted Williams) & #4 (Joe Cronin). It was about time. Willams retired in 1960 and Cronin in 1945. Later that year in August of 1984 Cronin dies at the age of 77……………Bomb explodes in rebel leader Edén Pastora's headquarters in Nicaragua…..The National League suspends Mario Soto 5 days for Reds-Cubs fight on May 27^th….as May winds down, President Reagan’s speech on Cuba, Communism and Central America still resonates. Denouncing Fidel Castro, the Cuban leader, and the Sandinistas of Nicaragua as agents of a Communist threat ''at our doorstep,'' President Reagan reached beyond Congress tonight to try to defend his policy on Central America before the American voter. With the public registering widespread doubts in opinion polls about his policy, Mr. Reagan offered one of his carefully crafted narratives that, on one level, merely repeated his Latin American aid requests pending in Congress. On the broader plane of election-year politics, however, the President sought to establish the threat of Communism in the hemisphere as the context for his Latin American initiatives. As is the Administration's custom, officials said the President had a problem only in communicating fully with the public, not in suffering their disapproval…... and this week in 1984 th number one song in LuLac land and America was “Oh Sherry” by Steve Perry.